Many of you will remember our beloved Deputy Head, Mr Nick Windsor who worked at SJB from 2001 until 2022 when he sadly died after a courageous battle with lung cancer.  Some of you reading this will know him well and call him a friend or colleague, some will have had the privilege of being taught or mentored by him, and others may remember him from a distance… you might even have spent a few too many hours in his office!

 The 9 April 2023, Easter Sunday, will mark one year since his death.

 Mr Windsor believed that “compassion without action was just observation” and spent lots of periods throughout his life helping others. It was that belief, together with hearing the horrifying and sadly increasing statistics on suicide that drove him to become a volunteer with the Samaritans about 6 years.

 Despite a busy job and a young family at home, Mr Windsor became a volunteer for the Samaritans. He used to leave SJB after a 12-hour day and drive to Walton to start a late shift answering phone calls, trying to be the voice of reason for the destitute.

 Samaritans provide a lifeline for people up and down the country who need someone to listen to them without judgement. Every seven seconds, they respond to a call for help. That’s probably 10 phone calls in the time it’s taken you to read this little blurb. Ten individuals who need to be heard. Without judgement. Without pressure. Samaritans are there to take those calls from anyone who needs someone to listen. They are a charity who are also working hard to change the thinking around suicide.

 In honour of Mr Windsor, we are raising money for the Samaritans throughout Lent this year. It is one small way of us continuing his legacy here at SJB.  Please give generously this Lent in whatever way you can – if you cannot give money then think about how you can give your time and remember that “compassion without action is just observation”.

 RIP Mr Windsor, we miss you.